Can SRT get a test triple and some more?!?!

Let me add a disclaimer outright that I am not one to put the jinx on SRT so do not go about blaming me if his form peters off as 2010 wears on! That being said, I wish to seriously consider if SRT can actually bring to fruition a billion dreams - well, actually its a single dream shared by at least a billion cricket fans - the dream of seeing SRT at the top of the highest test inning score list. For the uninitiated, that list in question, in currently topped by a Carribbean swashbuckler who answers to the name of Brian Charles Lara.

Truth be told, the highest ODI inning score list and the test inning score list are very close to being poetically correct - the ODI inning list is aptly led by SRT (200*) who is unequivocally the legend of the ODI format and the test list is headed by Lara (400*) who, most would agree, has been the premium match-winner in test cricket in the modern era - and what's more, the numbers themselves, (200* & 400*) add that extra element of symmetry that makes these lists aesthetically significant!

Personally, having witnessed SRT's struggle with fitness (and form to some extent) during 2006-2007, I had resigned myself to the fact that SRT would end his career big on aggregate runs but without any X-factor innings in his kitty. I was gladly proven wrong by his 200*. In the euphoria following that innings, there were many fans who thought a test triple or quadruple was a given after that 200*. I wasn't convinced and I had my reasons; I shall divulge these reasons here:

SRT got the 200* in an ODI, batting for 3 hours and scoring at 136 runs per 100 balls. In tests, SRT's strike rate is between 50 to 60 runs per 100 balls. Now, if SRT has to get to 400 runs in a single test innings, he would need to face, on average, 700 balls (approx). This translates to 120 overs which means, Team India would have to bat for at least 200 overs (bare minimum) and SRT would have to bat for at least 2 days in a test match. Phew.....hmmmpfh!

Now, let me tell you why I have started to dream that SRT's triple, quadruple or more could actually happen!! For one thing, NewZealand will be playing India for 3 test matches with the first one being in Ahmedabad. SRT got his first test double ton in Ahmedabad at the Motera Stadium against New Zealand in 1999. The other day, when he got his 214 against Australia at Bangalore, he was clearly far more fit that the other Indian centurion - M. Vijay. SRT came out to field after his marathon and was looking fresh enough at the end of the match and game for some more runs!! SRT himself, complemented the support staff for their care of the cricketers and has repeatedly showered praise on the masseurs and physios for their work on keeping his body in ship-shape. SRT must really feel the difference given that he is not a man who lavishes unwarranted praise.

So, fitness may not be an issue. Then again, if Dhoni works on his toss winning skills (:D), SRT could find himself batting towards the end of the first session on Day 1 of a test match agains the kiwis at Ahmedabad or in at least one of the three tests. The only question that remains (and this is a big one!!) is whether SRT will be driven enough against a hardly threatening Kiwi attack. I am not claiming that he will be any less motivated to score for India but the question is whether he will be driven enough to stay on for a big big mammoth innings of say..... hmm.... 401* or 501*.... hey sorry, dreaming again.... back again now!!!

So you see, it could happen. I had ceased to dream about this 5 years ago but SRT has rekindled them by being, well, SRT!! What can I say - 'Sach is life' .......... Good luck SRT, Good luck Team India - God is already with Team India, so the best wishes I can give Team India is to say "May the force be with SRT" (Stiff upper lipped Padres should probably forgive my thinly-veiled blasphemy!!! hehe!)

PS: if it were to actually come to pass, I would like to go out on a limb and say that
Sachin will get a test quadruple in around 500 balls batting for 5 sessions!!!

A Very Very Special lax man!!

Seems an eternity since my last post but I just feel I have to write this one today.

Just as I grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar set the cricket world on fire through the 90's, I am sure there would be a lot of teenagers who saw a very lax looking man lead India to a famous test victory today. Twenty years down the line, if one of these teenagers is on a quiz show and they are asked the question - "What do the initials VVS in VVS Laxman's name stand for?" - I reckon, it wouldn't be too surprising if the answer given is "Very Very Special". I am sure, Laxman will go down in cricket-lore as Very Very Special!

In fact, he is so special against the Aussies that not many pundits are surprised by his performance today. It has become commonplace to expect such performances from the wand-weilder - Laxman. What it does, is put Ishant Sharma's performance on a higher pedestal. Ishant was the surprise package, not Laxman.

Laxman was his usual self - just very very special and reLaxed!!